WVC 16 - 5 B- 13
§16-5B-13. Hospital-based paternity program.
(a) Every public and private hospital licensed pursuant to
section two of this article and every birthing center licensed
pursuant to section two, article two-e of this chapter, that
provides obstetrical services in West Virginia shall participate in
the hospital-based paternity program.

(b) The bureau for child support enforcement as described in
article eighteen, chapter forty-eight of this code shall provide
all public and private hospitals and all birthing centers providing
obstetric services in this state with:

(1) Information regarding the establishment of paternity;

(2) An acknowledgment of paternity fulfilling the requirements
of subsection (i), section twelve, article five, chapter sixteen of
this code; and

(3) The telephone contact number for the bureau for child
support enforcement that a parent may call for further information
regarding the establishment of paternity.

(c) Prior to the discharge from any facility included in this
section of any mother who has given birth to a live infant, the
administrator, or his or her assignee, shall ensure that the
following materials are provided to any unmarried woman and any
person holding himself out to be the natural father of the child:

(1) Information regarding the establishment of paternity;

(2) An acknowledgment of paternity fulfilling the requirements
of subsection (i), section twelve, article five, chapter sixteen of this code; and

(3) The telephone contact number for the bureau for child
support enforcement that a parent may call for further information
regarding the establishment of paternity.

(d) The bureau for child support enforcement shall notify the
state department of health of any failure of any hospital or
birthing center to conform with the requirements of this section.

(e) Any hospital or birthing center described in this article
should provide the information detailed in subsection (c) of this
section at any time when such facility is providing obstetrical
services.

Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2016 Regular Session
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